SRINAGAR: A census to count the elusive Kashmir Markhor, the world’s largest wild mountain goat, will begin in early Feb as J&K’s wildlife department seeks more data on the population of the species that is categorised as ‘near threatened’.“The census will start from Kazinag National Park,” said Dr Tanushree Srivastava, senior manager and head of Jammu and Kashmir projects at Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which is conducting the census in collaboration with the wildlife department. WTI is a well-known wildlife conservation group that works in close coordination with Union and state govts.Considered to be the largest wild goat in the world, in India the Markhor is found only in J&K. According to Srivastava, the last census was carried out in 2023, during which WTI estimated the Markhor population in Kazinag National Park to be 221, while the sightings in Hirpora and Tatakutti wildlife sanctuaries remained very low.Kazinag National Park lies on the northern bank of the River Jhelum near the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla district, about 70 km northwest of Srinagar. The Hirpora sanctuary is located in the Pir Panjal range, 70 km southwest of Srinagar, in Kashmir’s Shopian district, and the Tatakutti sanctuary in Jammu’s Poonch district.In 2004, WTI carried out the first survey to assess the Markhor population and distribution in all its historical sites. Dr Srivastava said it was after WTI’s field surveys that Markhor was recorded in the areas adjacent to the Hirpora sanctuary after 60 years. “We follow the double-observer survey method to estimate the Markhor population, as this method has been globally recognised,” she said. Understanding the population status of the species is crucial for planning future conservation efforts, she added.As Markhor inhabits rugged terrain in areas close to the LoC, WTI needs special permission from the Army for the census work due to security concerns. “The Army has been very supportive in giving due permissions to survey these areas, and also providing full security during the exercise,” Srivastava said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Makes No Sense…” Ex-US Army Officer Slams Trump Over India-US RelationsUK, EU FTAs to Unlock New Export Opportunities for Assam Tea: Himanta Sarma’Rupture In World Order’: EU Blasts Trump Over ‘Bullying’; Danish MP Fires Shock Message For US PresOperation Prahar: Punjab Police Raid Locations Linked to 60 Foreign GangstersIndia Will Surpass Japan To Become 3rd Largest Economy: Gita Gopinath At World Economic Forum 2026Democracy Took Roots In India In 600 BC, Long Before The World: CEC Gyanesh KumarExplained: Why India-EU ‘Mother Of All Deals’ Matters As Trade Talks Enter Final High Stakes PhasePakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Inaugurates Fake Pizza Hut Outlet, Trolled on Social Media’Influencers, AI And Deepfakes’: Indian Army Exposes Pakistan’s Digital War During Operation SindoorIndus Waters Flashpoint: Pakistan Cries Crisis At UN As India Hardens Terror Stance Post Pahalgam123PhotostoriesHow to make Dhaba-Style Amritsari Paneer Bhurji for dinner at homeNot just the Beckhams: 5 famous family feuds that shocked the worldUnseen gems: Rare photos of Rajesh KhannaLaughter Chefs Season 3 to bring major changes: OG Arjun Bijlani, Ankita Lokhande–Vicky Jain return as Team Kaanta vs Churi endsJapanese Ambassador relishes biryani with bare hands: 6 times global leaders have shown love for Indian food10 Asian cities with the longest commute time to work2 Indian chicken dishes among top 17 in the worldDaily practices you can do for planetary balanceHow to make Chilli Paneer for evening snacking at homeBasant Panchami 2026 outfit ideas: Bollywood celebrities prove yellow is still the power colour123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordTravis KelceDonald Trump PlaneUdaipur Car AccidentJonathan KumingaCandace OwensDonna KelceJohn Harbaughs WifeKlay ThompsonsAshwini Vaishnaw
SRINAGAR: A census to count the elusive Kashmir Markhor, the world’s largest wild mountain goat, will begin in early Feb as J&K’s wildlife department seeks more data on the population of the species that is categorised as ‘near threatened’.“The census will start from Kazinag National Park,” said Dr Tanushree Srivastava, senior manager and head of Jammu and Kashmir projects at Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which is conducting the census in collaboration with the wildlife department. WTI is a well-known wildlife conservation group that works in close coordination with Union and state govts.Considered to be the largest wild goat in the world, in India the Markhor is found only in J&K. According to Srivastava, the last census was carried out in 2023, during which WTI estimated the Markhor population in Kazinag National Park to be 221, while the sightings in Hirpora and Tatakutti wildlife sanctuaries remained very low.Kazinag National Park lies on the northern bank of the River Jhelum near the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla district, about 70 km northwest of Srinagar. The Hirpora sanctuary is located in the Pir Panjal range, 70 km southwest of Srinagar, in Kashmir’s Shopian district, and the Tatakutti sanctuary in Jammu’s Poonch district.In 2004, WTI carried out the first survey to assess the Markhor population and distribution in all its historical sites. Dr Srivastava said it was after WTI’s field surveys that Markhor was recorded in the areas adjacent to the Hirpora sanctuary after 60 years. “We follow the double-observer survey method to estimate the Markhor population, as this method has been globally recognised,” she said. Understanding the population status of the species is crucial for planning future conservation efforts, she added.As Markhor inhabits rugged terrain in areas close to the LoC, WTI needs special permission from the Army for the census work due to security concerns. “The Army has been very supportive in giving due permissions to survey these areas, and also providing full security during the exercise,” Srivastava said.
